Means for mounting pilot burners in relation to main burners



April 1965 w. J. KUHN ETAL 3, 78,

MEANS FOR MOUNTING PILOT BURNERS IN RELATION TO MAIN BURNERS Filed July29, 1963 INVENTORS WILLIAM J. KUHN PAUL E. MAURICE ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent MEANS FQR MUUNG PILUT BURNERS IN RELATION TO MAIN BURWERSWilliam Ll. Kuhn, Springfield, and Paul E. Maurice,

Ludlow, Mass, assignors to Heatbath Manufacturing Company, Inc,Springfield, Mass., a corporation ot' Massachusetts Filed July 29, 1963,Ser. N 298,021

Claims. (Cl. 24868) This invention relates to a new and improvedsupporting means for mounting a pilot burner in relation to a mainburner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new andimproved supporting means including a universal header plate constructedand arranged to be used with a pilot mountnig bracket for mounting apilot burner parallel to the main burner and which is constructed andarranged for use with a pilot mounting bracket for mounting a pilotlight at right angles to the main burner.

The supporting means of the present invention is particularly useful insupporting pilot burners in relation to bar type gas burners of thenon-aerated type for use in heating brooders for poultry or livestock,but the invention is not limited to any particular field of application.The invention of the present application provides a simple expedientsupporting means structure which is adapted to mass production methodswherein the parts are easily replaced or exchanged in case of damage andwherein relatively inexpensive light sheet metal parts can be usedrather than heavy and expensive castings. Thus with only three mainparts, the present invention provides a structure for mounting the pilotburner either vertically or horizontally. The present invention providesan improved supporting structure for positively positioning the mainburner in relation to the pilot burner. The present invention isrelatively simple in construction, thus simplifying the changing of mainburner tubes.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

In view of the foregoing it is an object of this invention to provide asimple, inexpensive and versatile supporting means for mounting a pilotburner parallel to or at right angles to the main burner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified structurewherein only three major parts are used to mount a pilot burner eitherhorizontally or vertically.

Another object of this invention is to provide a universal header platewhich is constructed and arranged to be used with a horizontallydisposed bar type gas burner tube in conjunction with means for mountinga pilot burner in either the horizontal or vertical direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new new and improvedsupporting means for mounting a pilot burner in a horizontal positionparallel to a main burner.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved supporting means for mounting a pilot burner in a verticalposition at right angles to a main burner.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved structure formounting a main burner wherein the main burner is easily removed andchanged.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved structure for positively positioning a main burner in relationto a pilot burner.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows and in part will be obvious from thedescription or may be learned from practicing the invention, the objectsand advantages being realized and attained by means of the instrumental-3,178,146 Patented Apr. 13, 1%65 "ice ities and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together withthe description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a form of the inventionwherein the pilot burner is disposed in parallel relation to the mainburner.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the universal header plate inconjunction with a pilot mounting plate for mounting the pilot burner ina horizontal position parallel to the main burner.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional of the view device shown in FIGURE1.

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of the universal header plate inconjunction with a pilot mounting plate for mounting the pilot burner ina vertical position vertical to the main burner.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the device shown in FIG- URE 4.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown therein a preferredembodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIGURE 1, there is disclosed a bar or tube type main burner2 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 4. At one end ofthe main burner 2 is a threaded fitting 6 on one end of which a gasinlet connector 8 is threadedly mounted. The other end of the fitting 6terminates in a polygonally shaped element 10 preferably having theshape of a hexagonal 10.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for positivelypositioning the main burner in relation to the pilot burner. Asembodied, this means includes a groove 11 in member 10 and a tongue 13on universal header plate 14. It will be appreciated that these elementsin the combination subsequently described positively position the mainburner in the desired position.

It will be understood that the gas inlet connector 8 is attached to agas supply means in the usual manner not shown.

Intermediate the threads and the hexagonal element 10 on the connector 6is a relatively short cylindrical portion 12. The purpose of thisportion will be described subsequently.

In accordance with this invention a universal header plate 14 isprovided which is constructed and arranged for use with a pilot mountingplate for mounting a pilot burner in a horizontal disposition parallelto the main burner and is also adapted for use with a pilot mountingplate for disposing a pilot light burner in a vertical position at rightangles to the main burner.

The header plate 1 is made of brass, aluminum or steel and isconveniently made by stamping, thus eliminating the need for a heavycast part. The header plate 14 is an integral stamped piece, but forconvenience of description can be considered as having sections. Thusthe header plate includes rectangular portion having an aperture 16located in the center thereof adapted to receive one end of thehorizontal disposed bar burner 2. The thickness of the header plate isabout equal to the width of the cylindrical portion 12 of the connector6. In each corner of the rectangular portion holes 18 are provided formounting a universal header plate to a frame (not shown) for maintainingthe header plate in a stationary position. On diagonally opposite sidesof the aperture, holes are provided for use in combination withconnecting means to be described subsequently. The upper portion of theuniversal header plate includes a tapered zone 2t) having at itsterminal end a notch 22 which extends almost the entire width of theheader plate.

The tapered portion of the header plate 14 adjacent the notch includesan aperture 24 in which the thermocouple element 26 can be mounted byany conventional means. Intermediate the aperture 24 for thethermocouple 26 and the main burner 2 is another aperture 28 which isadapted to receive a horizontally disposed pilot burner 30.

The above described construction of the header plate is such that it isadapted for use with a pilot mounting bracket which locates a pilotburner parallel to or at right angles to the main burner 2. In eitherinstance the pilot mounting plate is made of relatively thin sheet metalsuch as aluminum, brass, steel, etc., and can be formed into theappropriate shape by a stamping and punching operation.

The header plate 14 of the present invention is adapted for use with apilot mounting plate 32 which disposes the pilot burner in thehorizontal position. In this form of the invention the lower portion ofthe pilot burner bracket includes an aperture 34 having the shape of aconvex polygon preferably that of a hexagon in which the hex agonallyshaped element on the main burner 2 can be located. The thickness of thebracket 32 is susbtantially equal to the thickness of the member 10 sothat element fits flush with the surface of the universal header plate.The bracket also includes a pair of apertures adapted to be aligned withthe corresponding apertures in the universal header plate for receipt ofrivets 36 or other similar means for connecting the header plate and thepilot mounting plate.

In this form of the bracket a narrow portion 38 extends upwardly from aposition adjacent the aperture for the main burner.

At its upper end adjacent the end of the header plate the pilot bracketis formed with a horizontally directed portion 49 which is engaged inthe notch 22 at the end of the universal header plate. At its terminalend the pilot mounting bracket has a vertically disposed portion havingan opening 44 therein. The opening 44 on the vertically extendingportion of the bracket is coaxial with the opening 24 for receipt andmounting of the thermocouple element 26 in spaced relation to the mainburner.

Immediately below the aperture for the thermocouple element is a convexpolygonally shaped opening 46 through which a pilot burner extends.Conveniently the body of the pilot burner 39 is polygonally shaped andincludes a reduced diameter portion 48 so that the polygonal portion ofthe pilot burner abuts against the header plate and can be held in theproper position by the serrated hand element St The thermocouple elementis connected to conventional means (not shown) for turning the mainburner otf in the event that the pilot burner is extinguished.

A mounting bracket in combination with the header plate wherein thepilot tube is disposed at right angles to the main burner is shown inFIGURES 4 and 5. Where the pilot burner is to be disposed in thevertical position, i.e., at right angles to the mounting bracket 52 theportion of the mounting bracket adjacent the lower end of the headerplate is identical to that described above for the bracket forhorizontally disposing the pilot burner. The thickness of the bracket 52is substantially equal to the thickness of the element 10 so that theelement fits flush with the surface of the mounting plate as describedabove.

The lower end of the burner bracket 52 includes a depending portionhaving a flange 54 extending at right angles to the body of the pilotmounting bracket with apertures therein through which screw means may bepassed to engage the frame or bracket 56 for a vertically extendingpilot burner 55. In this instance the pilot burner is disposed in thevertical direction so that the thermocouple (not shown) extendingthrough aperture 55 in the bracket will be adjacent the flame of thepilot. It will be understood that the pilot burner bracket can beconstructed so that the flange 54 and the bracket 56 are integral withone another. In this construction the bracket has horizontally disposedflanges at the upper and lower end having openin s therein for receiptof the pilot burner.

It is to be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is notlimited to the specific elements, constructions, arrangements andimprovements shown and described, but also includes within the scope ofthe accompanying claims any departures made from such elements,constructions and arrangements and improvements which do not sacrificethe chief advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A supporting means for mounting a main gas burner in conjunction witha horizontally or vertically disposed pilot burner comprising: auniversal header plate made of substantially fiat sheet metal having anenlarged opening in which a bar type gas burner is mounted forhorizontal disposition, means at one end of said header plate adaptedthereof to mount a thermocouple element in a horizontal position, apilot bracket made of sheet metal, means co-operating with said pilotbracket and said header plate for mounting said pilot bracket on saidheader plate in superposed contact, an aperture in said pilot brackethaving the shape of a convex polygon and being adapted to receive acomplementary shaped ele ment on the main gas burner, and mounting meanscooperating with said header plate for disposing a pilot burner adjacentthe main burner.

2. A device as described in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned mountingmeans disposes said pilot burner in a horizontal position parallel tosaid main burner.

3. A device as described in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned mountingmeans disposes said pilot burner in a vertical position at right anglesto said main burner.

4. A device as described in claim 1 including means cooperating withsaid aperture for positively positioning the main burner with respect tothe pilot burner.

5. A supporting means for a main gas burner and a pilot burnercomprising: a header plate made of substantially flat sheet metal, apilot bracket made of substantially flat sheet metal, means for mountingsaid pilot bracket in superposed position on said header plate, a maingas burner, means on said header plate and said pilot bracket formounting said main gas burner in a predetermined position, a mountingflange extending at right angles to said pilot bracket and disposedbelow said main burner adapted for mounting a pilot burner at rightangles to said pro-determined position.

6. A supporting means for a main burner and a pilot burner comprising: aheader plate made of substantially flat sheet metal, a pilot bracketmade of substantially flat sheet metal, means for mounting said pilotbracket in superposed position on said header plate, a main gas burner,means on said header plate and said pilot bracket for mounting said maingas burner in a predetermined position, said pilot bracket havin aportion extending above said main burner for mounting a pilot burnerparallel to said pre-determined position.

7. A header plate adapted to cooperate with said pilot mounting platesfor mounting a pilot burner at right angles to or parallel to a main gasburner comprising: a substantially flat sheet metal plate, said platehaving a first section which is substantially rectangular, means in eachcorner of said rectangular section adapted to mount said plate on astationary frame, means including a first aperture located in theapproximate center of said rectangular section adapted to receive a mainburner, and means including an aperture on diametrically opposed sidesof said first aperture which cooperates with means on said pilotmounting plates to connect said plate to the p lot mounting plates tothereby mount a pilot burner either at right angles to or parallel tothe main burner.

8. A supporting means for a main gas burner and a pilot gas burnercomprising: a header late made of substantially fiat sheet metal, apilot bracket made of substantially flat sheet metal, rivet means forconnecting said pilot bracket in superposed position on said headerplate, an opening in said header plate adapted to receive a main gasburner, means on said header plate and said pilot bracket for mountingsaid main gas burner in a predetermined position, a recess in the end ofsaid header plate, said pilot mounting bracket including a verticalportion extending upwardly and then at right angles into said notch,apertures in said bracket and said header plate for receiving athermocouple element, and apertures in said header plate and said pilotmounting bracket for receiving a pilot burner disposed in parallelrelationship with respect to said main burner.

9. A device as described in claim 8 wherein the opening in said headerplate is adapted to receive a multisided portion of the main burner andwherein tongue and groove means co-operate to positively position saidmain burner with respect to said pilot burner.

10. A supporting means for a main gas burner and a pilot burnercomprising: a header plate made of substantially flat sheet metal, apilot bracket made of substantially flat sheet metal, rivet means forconnecting said pilot bracket in superposed position on said headerplate, an opening in said header plate adapted to receive a main gasburner, means on said header plate and said pilot bracket for mountingsaid main burner in a predetermined position, a flange at the lower endof said pilot mounting bracket extending at right angles thereto, saidflange being adapted to mount a pilot burner at right angle to said mainburner.

Reterences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,281,563 Dufault May 5, 1942 2,799,331 Hajny July 16, 1957 2,959,218Hajny Nov. 8, 1960 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. A SUPPORTING MEANS FOR MOUNTING A MAIN GAS BURNER IN CONJUNCTION WITHA HORIZONTALLY OR VERTICALLY DISPOSED PILOT BURNER COMPRISING: AUNIVERSAL HEADER PLATE MADE OF SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SHEET METAL HAVING ANENLARGED OPENING IN WHICH A BAR TYPE GAS BURNER IS MOUNTED FORHORIZONTAL DISPOSITION, MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID HEADER PLATE ADAPTEDTHEREOF TO MOUNT A THERMOCOUPLE ELEMENT IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION, APILOT BRACKET MADE OF SHEET METAL, MEANS CO-OPERATING WITH SAID PILOTBRACKET AND SAID HEADER PLATE FOR MOUNTING SAID PILOT BRACKET ON SAIDHEADER PLATE IN SUPERPOSED CONTACT, AND APERTURE IN SAID PILOT BRACKETHAVING THE SHAPE OF A CONVEX POLYGON AND BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ACOMPLEMENTARY SHAPED ELEMENT ON THE MAIN GAS BURNER, AND MOUNTING MEANSCOOPERATING WITH SAID HEADER PLATE FOR DISPOSING A PILOT BURNER ADJACENTTHE MAIN BURNER.